She:koli (hello)

My name is Ann John, and I am desperately trying to get help to finish my children’s forever home.

For the past 20 years, I have been doing everything I can to seek help for housing in my community. I was told to apply for rental housing back home, but I was denied over and over again. Finally, I asked why I kept getting denied, and the housing department told me my application was “weak in points.”

I did everything I could to improve my situation. I went back to school and earned my college diploma. I worked hard to get a full-time job because I was told being on Ontario Works was one of the reasons I did not qualify. I fought every day to pay rent, keep up with bills, and provide for my children.

After all that hard work, I applied again for housing in my community, only to be denied once more. This last time, I was told it was because my children’s father is not from the community. But this should not be about him — it should be about my four children, who deserve a safe and stable home.

Right now, our house is too small for all of us to live together. My two oldest children have to stay with their grandmothers, and we only get to see them on weekends. Even though my children are now 19 and 20 years old, I still believe it is my responsibility as their mother to care for them and keep my family together.

I have also tried applying for bank loans, but I was denied because I have not been able to save enough money. With the high cost of rent, groceries, bills, and transportation, I am forced to choose between feeding my children and trying to save. I also need a vehicle to get my children to school, appointments, and wherever they need to go.

All we want is a home to call our own and the chance to be closer to our family and community. My biggest dream is to have all of my children living under one roof again.

I am asking from the bottom of my heart for help to make this dream possible for my family.